Members of the Beverly Public Library or any other NOBLE libraries can use the Catalog to search for and request items from any library in NOBLE. As a Beverly Public Library member, you may use your library card to borrow materials at any of these libraries. In addition, if you do not wish to travel to another library you may request other libraries send their items to Beverly for you to pick up.
Click here for NOBLE Catalog Help
Library Cards
To borrow library materials, you must register for a library card or present a library card from the public library in the community where you reside. Patrons who have used a card already in another public library which is a member of the North of Boston Library Exchange (NOBLE) are already registered. To obtain a library card you must present identification showing your name and current address. Parents or guardians may show their I.D. when registering children. There is no minimum age limit and no requirement that children can read or write their name. Patrons who have come to the library without their card may borrow material by showing identification with their name and address.
Your card may be used at other public libraries in Massachusetts and at some academic libraries. The Beverly Public Library honors library cards from other Massachusetts libraries.
Check our Circulation Policies for further information, including loan periods and fines.
Get a PIN/Password
You will need a PIN/Password to access your library account online. Your online account will allow you to place holds on or to renew library materials. You can get a PIN/Password by visiting the library, or by “resetting” your password online if you have a valid email address on file.
- Resetting Your Password in the NOBLE Catalog (video)
- Resetting Your Password
- Hints for using your account online
Renew an item
We allow two renewals on each item with two exceptions: interlibrary loan items from outside the NOBLE network cannot be renewed nor can any item that has been reserved by another patron.
To renew in person, bring your library card to the circulation desk and a librarian will assist you.
To renew online, you must first have your library card and PIN/Password handy. Then log on to your library account.
Place an item on hold
If an item is owned by another library, already checked out, or otherwise unavailable, you usually can place a hold on it so that the next available copy is reserved for you. You will need a PIN/Password to access your library account online. Your online account will allow you to place holds on or to renew library materials. You can get a PIN/Password by visiting the library, or you can create your own online if you have a valid email address on file.
- Managing Your Holds in the NOBLE Catalog (video)
- Search the online catalog for the item you want and click on “Place Hold” to the right of the item.
- You will be prompted to type in your library card number and PIN/Password to request any material. Be sure to choose the library where you would like to pick up the item. You can change the pickup location by using the arrow at the right edge of the box to scroll through the choices.
- Click on “Submit”. A new screen will then come up to confirm your hold.
- When the library receives the item, you will be notified by either phone or email. You can also check on the status of your requested holds by accessing your account information through the “My Account” feature of the online catalog.
Other Online Account Tips
- Changing Your Personal Information in the NOBLE Catalog (video)
- Hints for using your account online
Change your username, email address, and password.
Make book lists, manage holds, and more!
Interlibrary Loan
If you search our online catalog for an item and do not find it, you may be searching for an item that is not available in the NOBLE network. You may also try searching the Virtual Catalog. The Virtual Catalog simultaneously searches the catalogs of over 300 Massachusetts libraries and you can place a request for any item with a valid NOBLE library card. If you are unable to place your request, please contact our Reference Department and we will assist you.
Virtual Catalog FAQ
Virtual Catalog Patron Tutorial
If an item cannot be found in NOBLE or in the Virtual Catalog, a librarian can usually locate it somewhere in the country for you to borrow. In this scenario, a minimum of $2.50 will be collected to cover shipping costs.
Email notification
The Library has an Email Notification service that will let you know when a hold has arrived for you as well as when items are overdue or considered lost by email rather than by mail or telephone. You will also receive a reminder email two day before your item is due. To sign up, simply give us your email address the next time you are in the library.
If you no longer wish to receive notices via email, let us know the next time you are in the library.
What is NOBLE?
The North Of Boston Library Exchange (NOBLE) is a cooperative effort of 28 area libraries founded to improve library service through automation. Seventeen public libraries, ten academic libraries and one special library are members of NOBLE.
